Tempest didn't answer immediately, not trusting himself to speak. He then answered "Someone I loved." was the only answer he gave
one on one romance? (closed)
"You're having love life problems too?" She asked softly.
"Yeah it's been tough…but I'm dealing with it. I mean it's been a year, so I should be moving on but I dunno…I just never have been able to…"
She placed her hand on his. "If you loved them truly I understand why you can't just let them go." She whispered.
"I have to…it's not healthy for me anymore to mourn." Temp told her, letting a bit more slip than he had meant to.
"Mourn? Wait- is she… gone?" She said sympathetically.
He flinched at the word 'gone' and slowly nodded "…Cancer…we found out too late." He tires to hold himself together as memories of the final months played in Tempest's head…her unrestrained positivity and joy never left as her body grew more pale, and the strength left her body. She fought though even when she should have let go.
"Rosie…please…it's okay…you can let go…I can't stand seeing you in agony."
"Tempu I have t-" she took several breaths before continuing "I have to…I can't leave you…I'm scared."
"I love you Rose, but you have to let go now." Those words had been the most painful ones he had ever said in his life….He's brought back to the present almost as quickly as his mind had drifted.
"Temp… I'm so sorry." She whispered. "Can… can I help you?"
"I dunno what you could do. Apparently a shrink didn't do the trick…"
She frowned not sure what she could, but was determined to do something. "Do you wanna talk about it?"
"What were you upset about?" He asked, turning the focus from himself
She took a deep breath and rubbed her face. She took a sip of tea and set it aside. "Me… and my- boyfriend… we split off." She said taking a deep breath. She wasn't about to start crying again. Not now.
"Oh I'm so sorry…I'm sorry I don't know how a breakup is…Rose was my only girlfriend…" He patted her shoulder gently
"It-it's fine." She said getting all choked up again. "It's not like I gave him everything or anything." She said blinking back tears. "Not at all-"
"Hey shh shh it's okay, you seem like a lovely girl. He's pretty dull to let you get away." Tempest said with as he hugged her gently again.
She took a shaky breath and hugged him. "T-that isn't what he said…" She mumbled.
"I can listen…I've been told i'm good at that." He gently suggested "Then I can determined how bad he screwed up." Temp says with a small smile.
She took a few short breaths and nodded. "I-if you wouldn't mind… I think I need to…"
"I don't mind Joanna." He assured her offering her a napkin for her face to clean up a bit.
She took it and wiped under her eyes, knowing she looked like a wreck. "Well… so I found out he was cheating on me, so I went to talk to him about it, naturally." She started pausing for a breath. "And well he denied it, and continued until I told him I wasn't mad. Then he got mad. He told me I was useless and he wanted to break up with me years ago. I-I didn't believe it…"
"Why weren't you angry?" Tempest questioned Jo with a puzzled look
"I couldn't be… I thought he was kidding." She choked hugging her arms.
"Not to be rude or anything but he sounds like an ass if that's how he jokes around."
"I didn't know- it's so hard to tell with him." She said wiping her eyes again.
"Okay sorry continue."
"There isn't much after that… other then he said he didn't love me and told me to get out of his life…"
"That's messed up…I'm so sorry about that. You don't deserve that kind of treatment." Tempest told her in a caring manner.
She took a deep breath and looked down at the floor. "Sometimes I think I do…"
"Hey you don't Jo…no one does. Just like no one should have to watch their partner leave the way Rose did…at least she didn't try to hurt me like this guy did to you."
She glanced at him. "Your life is a lot more screwed up then mine." She mumbled playing with her sweater. "I really shouldn't be complaining."